Yuan Li, Jiejie Lu, Jingqiu Fu

Department of Cosmetic Dermatology, The Fifth People’s Hospital of Hainan Province, Haikou, Hainan, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Jingqiu Fu, Department of Cosmetic Dermatology, The Fifth People’s Hospital of Hainan Province, No. 8 Longhua Road, Longhua District, Haikou, 570100, Hainan, People’s Republic of China, Email 619734489@qq.com

Abstract: Biologic agents have become a mainstay in the treatment of psoriasis, particularly in moderate to severe, refractory, and special types of the disease. Among these, ixekizumab is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-17A, approved for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Its adverse effects include infections such as nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infections, and injection site reactions. While the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) associated with IL-17A antagonists is extremely low, this paper reports a case of active pulmonary tuberculosis occurring after ten doses of ixekizumab treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis. This highlights the importance for clinicians to remain vigilant regarding tuberculosis infection in patients undergoing therapy with this class of medications, emphasizing the need for enhanced screening and monitoring for tuberculosis during treatment.

Keywords: interleukin-17A antagonists, ixekizumab, psoriasis, primary active pulmonary tuberculosis